Sperax Walking Pad Treadmill Review

The Sperax Walking Pad is just that, a walking pad, and it's an adequate machine for casual walkers or folks who might want to stride while working at a desk. The thin profile makes it easy to stash under a bed or couch while not in use. It arrives fully assembled with a remote control, belt adjustment tool, and a bottle of silicone belt lubrication. Set up is straightforward; you can be stepping toward your mileage goals in just minutes. Moving the machine around is a breeze as it only weighs 45 lbs and has wheels under the front corners where it is heaviest. There is a small LED screen to keep you in the know, and the RF remote can be used on a desktop. Advertised with a 2.5 HP motor, it, in fact, has a .75 HP motor, which means it struggles to keep the belt moving under heavier load. Read on to see how this all comes together.

Performance Comparison

Exercise Quality

Compared to other under-desk treadmills, the Sperax leaves a few things to be desired. The walking area is fairly short at 38.25", but at most speeds, it felt adequate, occasionally feeling the rear roller underfoot or striking the motor cover. The 15.25" belt width felt fine when we used the treadmill in the open and we could visualize our footfalls. When using it under a desk and out of view, especially when distracted by work, we found ourselves kicking the side rails a bit too often.

As its name may imply, the Walking Pad is only for walking, and its belt speed tops out at 3.8 mph. There are no incline or decline adjustments, although adjustable foot pads in the rear allow you to set it up on an imperfect surface. The owner's manual states that you should NOT stand on the belt when starting the machine, which makes getting on the moving belt feel riskier than getting on an escalator; after all, there is no handrail. We found the exercise quality good for our 170lb main tester, but when we loaded him up with a pair of 50lb kettlebells, the machine struggled to keep the belt moving freely across the deck. The stated weight limit is 320 lbs, but we wouldn't recommend this machine for anyone over 220 lbs.

The Walking Pad has no connected features, workout programs, or Bluetooth, but it does have a countdown feature. The simple LED screen displays mileage, elapsed time, and current speed. You can set a time, distance, or calorie goal using the remote, and the display will count backward toward your goal. The remote uses Radio Frequency, so it doesn't need to be pointed at the machine each time you make an adjustment.

User Interface/Ease of Use

For better or worse, it doesn't get much simpler than this user interface. The small LED screen with 4 small lights below is centered in the deck hood. The lights indicate which mode the screen is currently displaying; the default is the current speed. The three remaining lights indicate countdown timers for a timed workout, estimated calories burned, or a preset distance measured in miles.

The remote control has 4 pretty intuitive buttons. ON/OFF turns the machine on or off; a double push of the button gets the treadmill moving at its minimum speed of 0.6 mph. Should you wish to use the countdown feature, simply depress the M button, and one of the indicator lights on the hood illuminates to show you which of the three countdown settings you're using. +/- buttons increase or decrease speed while also allowing you to adjust the time, calories, or distance you want to work toward.

Initiating a walk on the Sperax is fairly simple. Unlike all other treadmills we've tested and reviewed, the Walking Pad instructs users not to stand on the belt while starting, likely due to its underpowered motor. Once you've stepped on the moving belt, you can adjust the speed with the remote's plus and minus buttons. The speed adjusts in 0.2mph increments up to 3.8mph.

Features

The main feature of this machine is its ease of storage, and it's indeed easy to stow away. With wheels on the front corners and a weight of only 45 pounds, it's easy to push, roll, or even lift. The remote for this machine uses radio frequency signals, allowing it to transmit signals to the machine while not in the line of sight. This is important as it allows you to use the remote on your desktop instead of having to handle the remote and point it at the machine.

One of the Walking Pad's stated features is its EVA (Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate) cushioning, which provides cushioning for your step. The actual cushioning appears to be a piece of double-sided foam tape placed between the steel frame and the particle board deck. We measured its deck cushioning and found it required 967.4 Newtons to deflect the deck 0.5 inches. This isn't much flex, so those looking for more comfort or protection for their joints should check out the UREVO Strol 1 Pro; it's significantly more compliant.

Ease of Assembly

Setting up the Walking Pad is as almost as easy as ordering it. Simply pull it from the box, remove the minimal packaging, and find a level spot out of direct sunlight. Once in place, you'll want to add some silicone lubrication beneath the belt; the easiest way to accomplish this is to tilt the machine on its side and squirt the lube between the belt tread deck. Next, install two AAA batteries (not included) into the remote and find a dedicated outlet to plug the machine. All considered, you can walk within 10 minutes of opening the box.

The setup procedure was similar to other walking-style treadmills. When we started our machine, the belt was centered, and it remained there while we walked our first several miles. Some users have noted that the belt wasn't properly centered when they received their treadmill, causing it to bunch up on one side and become stuck. To adjust the belt, use a 5mm Allen wrench (not the included 6mm wrench) to loosen or tighten the two adjuster screws located at the back of the machine. If you follow the instructions, this process can be simple but it takes time and rotations to determine if you've made the proper adjustment so have patience with this step.

Storability

Arguably, the best feature of the Sperax is how easy it is to store. The machine measures just over 4.52" at its tallest point. The narrow profile and lightweight make it easy to push out of the way and hide under a couch or bed. The Walking Pad can also be stored in its upright position, with its motor toward the floor. The treadmill measures 48" tall and just under 20" wide in a standing position.

The downside to its thin profile is that it uses very small rollers to wrap the belt. These small-diameter rollers provide less contact on the belt and thus, less grip. This can be problematic as it causes the belt to slip, leading to alignment and wear issues.

Noise Level

We use a professional sound meter to gauge how many decibels a treadmill emits at different speeds, with and without a user on deck. The Walking Pad isn't loud and feels appropriate under desk use, but it's louder than other some models we've tested. We typically run this test at 1mph and 4 mph, but given the 3.8mph top speed of the Sperax, we're comparing clementines to oranges. At 1mph, this machine emits 48 db without a user and 55 db with a walker on board. At 3.8mph, the treadmill makes 57.4 db and 62 db with a user on the belt. Still, these values are higher than many other treadmills we've tested at 4mph, even full-sized mills.

Even with slightly higher db readings, we didn't find the noise much of an issue. We noticed that we tended to kick the side rails of this machine more often, creating a distracting noise for other people in our office.

Should You Buy the Sperax Walking Pad Treadmill?

If your main objectives in finding a walking treadmill are price and storability, the Sperax might be the ticket. If quality and versatility are more important, you'll likely want to look elsewhere. The size and weight of this machine are impressive, but the weak motor and small rollers diminish the value proposition. If you're under 220 pounds and just want to grab some steps indoors with minimal investment, the Walking pad certainly is convenient.

What Other Treadmills Should You Consider?

If you like the size and convenience of this machine, the UREVO 2 in 1 Folding Treadmill would be an excellent alternative. It's a few inches longer, has a slightly larger belt surface, and can be used for light running. The UREVO features a fold-up handrail for use at higher speeds, but it can be laid flat and stored under a couch or in a closet. While it costs a few dollars more, it's also quieter and a bit more comfortable. UREVO also makes the Strol 1 Pro, which offers an adjustable incline and a sturdier handrail; it has an even softer deck but costs a couple of hundred dollars more.